The RM IV by Lineplug is a flexible drum machine that combines analog-style percussion synthesis with a fully featured percussion sampler. The new version 4.0.4 adds support for Mac OS 10.3 Panther and Audio Unit format. The RM IV bundled with more than 170 sample-based and synthesized drum kits.

The RM IV 4.0.4 costs EUR149. A VST demo version is available for download (Audio Unit demo version coming soon).

The guys behind the unofficial site have let me know that they were able to "suck" the whole public FTP from Waldorf shortly before the demise. Once the intellectual property questions solved, they plan to offer all the public content to users as waldorf can do it no more. You'll see soon, OS updates, presets etc. available again.

That's a great news!

Musnoz writes us with this tip: Finale 2004 was released a month ago for Mac OS X, but you can now download (65 M) the demo version from MakeMusic!'s website. Take it for a spin and let us know what you think. -PK

Waldorf, the famous German synth maker, has officially declared bankruptcy. The Alliance with Terratec didn't go for the better, unfortunately. The website waldorf-gmbh.de, its forums and mailing lists are dead as of today.

Digidesign has announced that its SampleCell-to-SampleTank 2 XL crossgrade program is extended to March 31, 2004. This promotion applies to owners of all versions of SampleCell: SampleCell I, Nubus SampleCell II, SampleCell II PC, SampleCell II PCI, SampleCell II Plus, and Soft SampleCell. The offer allows SampleCell users to move up to IK Multimedia's full-featured SampleTank 2 XL at a discounted price of EUR349. Ed: Also good for North American customers. Brings back some SampleCell memories, huh? (Sniff.) -PK